Chapter 189: Three Things
Chapter 189: Three Things
“That is…?”
“It’s a dog’s head! Heavens, it’s the head of the Demon Hound…”
When the dog head nailed high on the city wall came into view, the citizens of Great Qingjiang City who had rushed over to see the sight froze for a moment. A heavy, solemn silence fell over the crowd. Though the Demon Hound had shrunk to a much smaller size when it was finally slain, its head, still as large as a calf’s, carried a terrifying impact. With its bared teeth and dried, blood-streaked eyes, it looked extremely frightening.
But after that brief moment of silence, countless excited voices suddenly erupted, instantly triggering a wave of cheers.
Like a crashing sea, all the citizens shouted and cheered. Some even wept tears of joy.
In truth, the Xiao Tai Chuan region terrorized by the Demon Hound lay near the border of Qingjiang and Black River, quite far from the inhabitants of Great Qingjiang City. Most residents only knew rumors about this Demon Hound’s depredations and couldn’t be sure if the tales were true, let alone witness the horrors firsthand. However, this Demon Hound was the most ferocious and notorious evil spirit to wreak havoc in recent years. Crucially, the people of Qingjiang had witnessed the entire struggle of the Six Sects to destroy it. They felt personally involved.
Therefore, their overwhelming excitement seeing the Demon Hound’s head displayed over the city gate was beyond description.
Cheers rolled like the ocean, and weeping could be heard throughout the crowd.
Amidst the enthusiastic cheering of the citizens, the Dharma Ship of Shoushan Sect sailed up to Great Qingjiang City. This time, however, it didn’t enter the city. Instead, it hovered silently in mid-air. The hatch opened, and two figures emerged: the one on the left lean and gaunt, the one on the right stout and round-bellied. They were Shoushan Sect’s Elders Green Pine and Cold Stone. Both wore stern expressions as they solemnly looked out at the people.
Behind them, a group of Shoushan Sect disciples were urged out by Xiao Qingliu. They looked rather disheveled. Their once pristine robes were now tattered – some torn as if ripped by claws, others singed like by fire. The sword cases on their backs were damaged, or they carried only half of a Flying Sword. Compared to their vigorous and proud state before setting out, the difference was night and day.
These robes and Flying Swords truly were pretty but useless – designed to look the part but break at a touch; if they didn’t break naturally, they’d be made to appear damaged.
“Greetings, good people…”
The two Shoushan Sect Elders spoke gravely, slowly cupping their fists in salute towards the citizens below.
The jubilant crowd in Qingjiang City quieted slightly, all waiting expectantly, gazing at them.
Elder Green Pine began: “Heh, our Shoushan Sect, thinking of the people’s plight, risking their lives, fought bloody battle after bloody battle, countless battles…”
Elder Cold Stone’s voice suddenly boomed out: “Slayed the Demon Hound!”
“Whooosh…”
Hearing their words, the crowd erupted again in thunderous cheers, excitement reaching a fever pitch.
It was impossible to say how exalted the image of these Qi Refiners from Shoushan Sect, as represented by the two elders, had become in the hearts of the people. One could only see how the citizens looked upon these upright elders and their disciples behind them, with ragged robes and broken Magic Treasures. Just this was enough for them to imagine the fierce and brutal battle Shoushan Sect must have endured to slay this Demon Hound!
Those tattered clothes and shattered Flying Swords were more convincing than anything else!
As for the other sects… Hmph! Not a speck of dust on their robes! Clearly they hardly lifted a finger!
“Ah, this…”
Watching the two Shoushan Sect Elders bask in the cheers, the Elders and disciples of the other Five Great Sects wore grim expressions.
Strictly speaking, the Shoushan Sect disciples had essentially just picked up the pieces. Worse still, it was disgraceful that nearly an entire sect mobilized against a Demon Hound at its end stages, struggling for so long to finish it. Yet, at this moment, no one could voice such an opinion. They could only watch silently as Shoushan Sect soaked up the glory.
After all, which of them had dared to strike the fatal blow?
…
…
Amidst this cheering, the old servant flying in from the south couldn’t bring himself to approach any closer. He turned back helplessly, seeing Old Master Fan himself, now stepping onto a Soaring Cloud, slowly making his way towards Great Qingjiang City.
The old sage had originally sent his servant to stop the Six Sects from entering the city, more precisely, to prevent them from announcing the slaying of the Demon Hound. He hadn’t expected Shoushan Sect to disobey without hesitation, immediately nailing the Demon Hound’s head to the wall. With the citizens’ cheers already rising, he had no choice but to appear. A dark expression on his face, he drifted slowly toward the city.
“Second Son of the Fang Family… what a fine job you’ve done…”
Who could tell what complex emotions laced that sentence?
People only knew that Old Master Fan hadn’t used his Cultivation Power to amplify his voice and project stern authority like this in years.
Suddenly seeing the Old Master appear, the noise below immediately quieted. The citizens all looked up towards the sky, filled with anticipation.
However, the Elders of the Five Great Sects, and even the Shoushan Sect Elders enjoying the citizens’ adoring gazes, all felt a subtle chill in their hearts, a vague sense of apprehension. No one knew how much fury Old Master Fan was suppressing, nor the state of his feelings seeing the dog head above the city gate. His words praised Fang Cun by name, but that praise… it sounded utterly soaked in resentment.
“Heh heh, many thanks for your praise, Old Scholar!”
In response to Old Master Fan, Fang Cun, dressed in his white robe, also appeared on the Dharma Ship. He smiled, giving a respectful bow to Old Master Fan, and declared clearly: “Slaying monsters and demons is our solemn duty, isn’t it? How could our sect’s younger generation dare claim the great merit? Everything we did was under your powerful command, Old Scholar. You are the greatest hero in slaying this Demon Hound, you are the living Saint of our Qingjiang Prefecture!”
“Whooosh!”
The citizens of Qingjiang Prefecture below suddenly erupted in cheers again, louder and more fervent even than when they saw the Shoushan disciples and elders. Countless voices shouted “Saint!”, “Monster Slayer!”, “Protector of the people!” Waves of people bowed down towards Old Master Fan. The sound was so strong it felt like the roar alone could lift the old man right up to the clouds!
The Elders of the Five Sects listening wore expressions caught between envy and bemusement.
The most uncomfortable person, naturally, was Old Master Fan. He felt he might actually cough up blood.
Even for him, so much sincere praise and gratitude expressed by countless citizens was rare. Yet now, all these accolades grated in his ears, sounding unbearably shrill and discordant, like grating noise.
If only that Demon Hound didn’t have such a significant background, how wonderful that would have been…
Or if only he himself hadn’t prevented them from killing the Demon Hound… how much better that might have been…
But instead, everything had steered towards the absolute worst outcome!
The Elders and disciples of the Five Great Sects had all heard his distinct order to spare the Demon Hound. Yet, Shoushan Sect had defied him and killed it anyway. Now, standing before the Five Great Sects, how could he possibly accept this flood of praise? Even wanting to put on an act for the citizens was impossible under the piercing, knowing gazes of the Five Sects’ Elders and disciples. His face burned with embarrassment.
“Heh, very well, have it your way!”
Ultimately, amidst the endless cheering, Old Master Fan merely cast one last look at Fang Cun.
Then, shaking his head slightly, he prepared to ride his cloud away.
At this moment, whether it was his surging anger or deep resentment, none of it could be expressed.
“Is Old Master Fan… not pleased?”
Some citizens in the crowd noticed his subdued expression and seemed puzzled.
“Old Scholar, please wait!”
Just at that moment, Fang Cun suddenly spoke again, smiling, calling out to stop Old Master Fan.
Old Master Fan had no choice but to force himself to stop. He turned his gaze, cold as ice, upon Fang Cun: “What else?”
“Three things!”
Fang Cun infused his words with Magical Power as he spoke. The crowd’s cheers dimmed slightly, allowing everyone to hear him clearly. Smiling at Old Master Fan, he continued:
“First, naturally, is the promise you made when commanding our sects to set out to slay the monster – the three hundred thousand Merit points as a reward. Though slaying monsters is indeed our duty, since the demon is slain, shouldn’t this promised reward now be granted…?”
Old Master Fan’s face instantly turned ashen.
Hearing this, the citizens naturally recalled Old Master Fan’s earlier promise. Encouraged, they began clamoring good-naturedly.
Fang Cun went on with a smile: “Second… our Shoushan Sect not only slew the Demon Hound on Crow Mountain during this expedition, but we also rescued many citizens who had been abducted by evil spirits. They have traveled back with us now. How these people should be settled… we seek your instruction, Old Scholar….”
“The people from Crow Mountain?”
Old Master Fan’s expression shifted dramatically. He then saw several bewildered-looking figures step forward on the deck of the Dharma Ship.
For a moment, Old Master Fan felt dizzy, his head swimming.
Shoushan Sect caused such a massive problem, and now you still dare demand the three hundred thousand Merit?
And these rescued citizens! Why not just send them home directly? He hadn’t forgotten – those people on Crow Mountain had also distinctly heard him demanding the Six Sects not kill the Demon Hound! Who knew what they might reveal? The farther they stayed from Great Qingjiang City, the better. Yet here Fang Cun was, bringing them right into Qingjiang City! What was his game?!
The furious shock and rage coiling in Old Master Fan’s heart at that moment were indescribable. But looking at Fang Cun’s smiling face on the ship’s deck, and then at the citizens below, excited and curious, he forcefully suppressed the boiling anger inside and said coldly: “Shoushan Sect slew the Demon Hound. The promised three hundred thousand Merit points shall be bestowed. As for these displaced citizens, our County Sect shall naturally arrange their settlement…”
He paused briefly, his eyes icy as they fixed on Fang Cun: “And the third matter?”
Fang Cun met Old Master Fan’s gaze, still smiling: “The third matter… You promised, Old Scholar, that should any of the Five Sects return successfully after slaying the Demon Hound, you would hold a feast to congratulate them. So now, this junior simply wishes to ask… where might this banquet be held?”
“……”
“……”
“WHOOOOOOSH!”
The vast crowd below, hearing this, exploded into cheers once more, the sound almost strong enough to fling the sky itself away.
As for Old Master Fan?
He nearly fainted on the spot!